For the love of Genicanthus

[joejoe1055]

i love this thread, i think i'm leaning toward a lamarck but luv them all

 

[Robka]

Wow great pictures everyone. I've tried twice (Swallowtail, bellus) to keep this species and neither made it through the quarantine period. It is good to see some success stories and would love any advice on taking care of these beautiful fish.

Thanks,

Robka

 

[Robka]

This was posted a lot earlier( 1 year +)

Great thread with lots of great photos and reading

I realize this is an old thread, but I hope some of the members r still out there with some info.

Thanks again,

Robka

 

[dieselab]

I thought I post an update of the the female Watanabe transformation to male.

10 months ago

today

I've a small female in qt and looking forward to forming a trio.

Awesome transformation. I wish my male had those incredible lines.

 

[flameangel88]

Wow great pictures everyone. I've tried twice (Swallowtail, bellus) to keep this species and neither made it through the quarantine period. It is good to see some success stories and would love any advice on taking care of these beautiful fish.

Thanks,

Robka

Don't feel bad, I just lost a female in QT and females are usually pretty good. I suggest to get small females and allow them to pair off. My male Watanabe is still able to keep his form since his initial transformation last November.

 

[Robka]

Don't feel bad, I just lost a female in QT and females are usually pretty good. I suggest to get small females and allow them to pair off. My male Watanabe is still able to keep his form since his initial transformation last November.

Wow, beautiful fish. My first try was a single female bellus & she died from Ich in about 4 days (very frustrating) The next try was a pair of female Swallow tails. I was hoping one would change into a male. My QT tank is 40 gallons with excellent water quality. One of the females harassed the other so she wouldn't eat and died 6 days later. The remaining female was active and then developed Ich. I started hypo treatment but lost her one week later her stomach was very bloated and she continued to feed until the day before she died. These two angels were in the 4" range, so do you think I should have went with smaller females? I really want a pair, I like the Masked swallowtail, Bellus, Watanabe, or Yellow swallowtail. Should I try one at a time in QT or again with two at once?

Thanks for all your help,

Robka

 

[flameangel88]

I've a pair (M/F) of Watanabe that were 2.5" two years ago and still have 2 females Bellus (from 20 months ago) that hasn't changed yet but the larger one is 4-4.25" while the smaller one is about 3". My Watanabe started to change around 4.5"+. My suggestion is get them in the 2.5-3" and stick with females is the best way to go plus it's so much more fun watching them transform to male (maybe not in the case of Bellus because the females are better looking). I've tried buying males of Watanabe, Bellus and Swallowtail and all short lived.

I would love to get two (females of course) Genicanthus semifasciatus down the road.


Picture of the bigger Bellus

3" Bellus hanging out with other angels

 

[Robka]

I've a pair (M/F) of Watanabe that were 2.5" two years ago and still have 2 females Bellus (from 20 months ago) that hasn't changed yet but the larger one is 4-4.25" while the smaller one is about 3". My Watanabe started to change around 4.5"+. My suggestion is get them in the 2.5-3" and stick with females is the best way to go plus it's so much more fun watching them transform to male (maybe not in the case of Bellus because the females are better looking). I've tried buying males of Watanabe, Bellus and Swallowtail and all short lived.

I would love to get two (females of course) Genicanthus semifasciatus down the road.

Is the reason for choosing the smaller females because they are less likely to harass each other during the quarantine period?

 

[flameangel88]

Is the reason for choosing the smaller females because they are less likely to harass each other during the quarantine period?

What I've been told is that the larger specimens are poor shipper especially males which are normally bigger and this has been my experiences as well. All the males I've purchased the last 2 years are all dead and only the females have survived.

One more thing--QT and treat for internal parasites.

 

[Robka]

What I've been told is that the larger specimens are poor shipper especially males which are normally bigger and this has been my experiences as well. All the males I've purchased the last 2 years are all dead and only the females have survived.

One more thing--QT and treat for internal parasites.

Thanks for the great info. When I locate a pair of small females, I will be sure to treat with the Prazipro. I have read that I should get them to feed first and then treat for the parasites. Does this sound right and if so how long after they are eating should I begin the treatment? I really appreciate all your help

 

[flameangel88]

Thanks for the great info. When I locate a pair of small females, I will be sure to treat with the Prazipro. I have read that I should get them to feed first and then treat for the parasites. Does this sound right and if so how long after they are eating should I begin the treatment? I really appreciate all your help

I usually treat Prazi within a week whether the fish is eating or not because I've fish that takes anywhere from 2-7.5 weeks before eating and if the fish have internal parasites it may be too late then. It's more important that you you feel the fish is ready for the treatment. If the fish appears to be weak and not eating then it would be better to delay this till the fish is in better shape. Once I see the fish appears to recover from the shipment after couple of days I'll go ahead and treat. This could be debatable (which I don't want to derail this thread) but appears to see more people treating possible internal parasites (with Prazi) and bacterial infection (with Maracyn 2) at the same time and I just followed this track recently. Treating with both meds at the same time seem to be fine.

 

[Robka]

I usually treat Prazi within a week whether the fish is eating or not because I've fish that takes anywhere from 2-7.5 weeks before eating and if the fish have internal parasites it may be too late then. It's more important that you you feel the fish is ready for the treatment. If the fish appears to be weak and not eating then it would be better to delay this till the fish is in better shape. Once I see the fish appears to recover from the shipment after couple of days I'll go ahead and treat. This could be debatable (which I don't want to derail this thread) but appears to see more people treating possible internal parasites (with Prazi) and bacterial infection (with Maracyn 2) at the same time and I just followed this track recently. Treating with both meds at the same time seem to be fine.

Is the combination of Prazi & Maracyn 2, going to wipe out my biological filter? If so, should I add some One & Only to boost it after clearing with carbon? Do you treat all your new fish this way? My QT tank has PVC pipes and some coral skeletons 4 cover, Should I remove the coral, cause I know some meds like copper will be absorbed by such decorations.

Thanks,

Robka

 

[flameangel88]

I treat possible flukes and internal parasites with Prazi regardless and starting to use Maracyn 2 as well at the same time. I've stopped dosing Cupramine till I can observe the fish after 2 rounds of Prazi then decide to or not.

I've not used any additive/boost pre or post Prazi but I do keep liverocks in the QT and run 2 canister filters. One with filter pads and the other with rubble. If you use copper then remove coral skeleton otherwise just leave it in there.

 

[sergehb]

how many fish do you have in the tank?

 

[Creetin]

I bought a Genicanthus caudovittatus thinking it was a Genicanthus melanospilus.
Both males look almost identical but there is a couple small differences.
After The male killed 3 female Genicanthus melanospilus. I asked the lfs owner if there was another species that looked similar. He said no. I decided to do some research and foud out i have a large male Genicanthus caudovittatus.
Wish they were easier to tell apart.

 

[chasekwe]

Hey folks, quick Genicanthus question. Can these angels be kept in harems with 1 male to X# females or are they strictly a pairing fish?

Thanks.

 

[steelersfan]

Hey folks, quick Genicanthus question. Can these angels be kept in harems with 1 male to X# females or are they strictly a pairing fish?

Thanks.

From my understanding, they can be kept in harems, as long as there is only one male.

 

[JokerGirl]

I've had my female Bellus for nearly a month now, and I must say that so far I don't regret letting Hubby buy it for me.

Now I just need to find a male.

 

[HOBrien]

I have loved watching my Lamark grow. I think it is trying to transition due to it getting the yellow dot on its forhead.

 

[Robka]

I have loved watching my Lamark grow. I think it is trying to transition due to it getting the yellow dot on its forhead.

I love how they can switch from male 2 female and back